West Palm Commission Race Could End Up Being A Walk

February 3, 1986|By Stephen J. Cohen, staff writer

Dropping like flies . . . First it was Robin Bernstein, aide to County Commissioner Ken Spillias, who announced her candidacy for a West Palm Beach Commission seat and then dropped out a week later, after deciding she couldn`t be both pregnant and on the commission.

Last week a second candidate for a West Palm Commission seat dropped out a week after announcing his candidacy.

James Harris, a Pratt & Whitney business manager, said he is stepping aside because of a potential conflict of interest and because his grandmother is ailing and needs more of his time.

Harris explained he learned last week the city has agreed to finance part of the rehabilitation of several properties he owns in the southern part of town. If he ran for the commission, a conflict of interest would arise, he said, especially if he wins.

The renovation of those properties is more important for the moment than a run for the commission, he said.

``But I`ll be back,`` he said. ``I will run for the commission again.`` Harris had challenged incumbent Frank Sineath, who is seeking a fourth consecutive term.

Some spicy races . . . Pepper, a popular spice, has been mobilized and sent into battle by two candidates for local city councils this election year.

These two peppers, however, are people. Pat Pepper Schwab is running for the seat on the West Palm Beach City Commission now held by Carol Roberts, who is moving up to a County Commission race.

Why `Pepper?`

``It`s my first husband`s last name,`` the 40-year-old candidate said. After that, she married architect Charles Schwab. The new Mrs. Schwab opted to keep the ``Pepper`` in her name. It attracts attention. You don`t often forget someone with a middle name like Pepper.

In Boynton Beach, candidate Mickey Cain`s wife, Pepper Cain, owns Pepper`s Old Salt Nautical Gifts, a boutique on East Ocean Avenue. The shop is serving as Cain`s campaign headquarters. It`s a landmark, Cain said. The title is catchy and it`s next to the Banana Boat.

This may assuage some old-timers, who maintain that many of the newer candidates for public office need ``some more seasoning.`` Ouch. Sorry.

Crime...is rearing its ugly head as major campaign issues in at least two central county election races.

Schwab said she surveyed many people. ``Nearly all of them want a safe neighborhood. They say they want their sidewalks back. They want increased police patrols. That`s the first thing you hear from people.

``As citizens and residents we need to give moral support to our Police Department,`` she said.

The two declared candidates running for the City Commission are emphasizing the need to step up police actions. But Roy Strohacker, a recently retired Lake Worth vice squad detective, has called for more money for more manpower to beef up the police presence in the city.

His opponent, incumbent Commissioner Ron Exline, says he wants something done about crime. But, he warns, the budget each year is tight.

Incas, Politics and Food? . . . Dean Turney, a professional planner, has declared his intention to run against Schwab for Roberts` seat.

Turney isn`t messing around, either. He will hold a fund-raiser Feb. 13 amidst the riches and splendor of ancient Peruvian dynasties at the West Palm Beach Science Museum.

Turney is hoping all that Incan gold and wealth will encourage his guests to dig deep into their pockets.

Why is he running? ``Politics is something I`ve always had a secret desire to get involved in.`` It`s an open secret now.

Why is he willing to take all the abuse that comes with elected office? ``I`m prepared to handle that. I`ve sort of admired anyone who can do it and doesn`t let it get to them,`` he said.

They said it: As West Palm Beach Police Chief George Siegrist was outlining his request to the City Commission for many thousands of dollars of exercise equipment to train and condition his men, Commissioner Helen Wilkes was puzzled.

``Whatever happened to push-ups and sit-ups, George?`` she asked. ``We still do that,`` Siegrist said.

Art Bougae, candidate for Sineath`s West Palm Beach seat, on his fund-raising efforts:

``Money is fine, but I`m not going to go out groveling for it.``

And Cain on his latest fund-raiser on Super Bowl Sunday, where only 35 percent of his invitees showed up: ``When you say fund-raising, you lose a lot of people.``

He is still bragging about the menu. ``We cooked and served about 140 White Castle hamburgers. The little hamburgers with the little buns. You don`t see them anymore. They were a big hit,`` he said.

Mr. and Mrs. Jack Steele, who own the Minnesota Vikings football team, showed up and gave him a donation, Cain said.